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Taiwan barb (Acrossocheilus paradoxus) — Cyprinidae

Taiwan barb

Acrossocheilus paradoxus
Family: Cyprinidae

The Taiwan barb (Acrossocheilus paradoxus) is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae that grows up to 23 cm.

Length
22.5 cm
Water
Freshwater
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Taiwan barb is a cyprinid (Cyprinidae) from East Asia. The species has a streamlined body with a few dark crossbars on the flank and an inferior mouth. It inhabits clear, flowing rivers and streams with a rocky bottom. As an omnivore it grazes the growth layer of algae and aufwuchs and eats small invertebrates and plant matter. It is kept both as a food fish and an ornamental fish. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Taiwan barb?

The Taiwan barb has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Taiwan barb live?

The Taiwan barb lives in fresh water and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Taiwan barb get?

The Taiwan barb grows to a maximum of about 23 cm. On average the species is around 12 cm.

Is the Taiwan barb dangerous to humans?

No, the Taiwan barb is harmless to humans.

Is the Taiwan barb edible?

Yes, the Taiwan barb is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Taiwanese sierbarbeel sourced
English name
Taiwan barb sourced
Scientific name
Acrossocheilus paradoxus
Family
Cyprinidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
22.5 verified
Average length (cm)
11.7 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Freshwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Acrossocheilus

More from the family Cyprinidae

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